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CLEP French Language Practice Test

10 free sample questions with answers and explanations. See how you'd score on the real CLEP exam.

Question 1Unit 2: Reading Comprehension

What is the primary concern of the protagonist, d'Artagnan, in this passage?

A
A) La disgrâce de M. de Tréville
B
B) His upcoming duels with Athos and Porthos
C
C) Les blessures terribles qu'il pourrait subir
D
D) La façon dont il a quitté M. de Tréville

Explanation

The passage indicates that d'Artagnan is worried about his upcoming duels, especially with Athos, who he believes can kill him.

Question 2Unit 2: Reading Comprehension

What type of literature did Lewis seem to prefer throughout his life?

A
A) Classical literature with a focus on realism
B
B) La littérature qui évoque des émotions violentes et une excitation mentale
C
C) Historical fiction with a focus on accuracy
D
D) Children's literature with moral lessons

Explanation

According to the passage, Lewis preferred literature that 'arouses violent emotion and mental excitement, or lacerates the nerves, or shocks and startles'.

Question 3Unit 2: Reading Comprehension

What can be inferred about Mrs. Radcliffe's approach to describing foreign scenery in her novels?

A
A) She relied heavily on her personal experiences traveling abroad
B
B) Elle s'appuyait sur son imagination, aidée par des descriptions et des tableaux
C
C) She focused on the historical significance of the locations
D
D) She avoided describing scenery altogether

Explanation

The passage states that Mrs. Radcliffe relied on her imagination, aided by pictures and descriptions, to describe foreign scenery in her novels.

Question 4Unit 2: Reading Comprehension

What can be inferred about Mademoiselle Baptistine's financial situation based on the passage?

A
A) She is wealthy and can afford any furniture she desires
B
B) Elle a réussi à économiser suffisamment pour acheter un meuble de salon en velours d'Utrecht
C
C) She has limited financial resources and must make sacrifices
D
D) She has no interest in material possessions

Explanation

The passage states that Mademoiselle Baptistine had only saved 42 francs 10 sous in 5 years, which is not enough to buy the furniture she wants, indicating her limited financial resources.

Question 5Unit 2: Reading Comprehension

What is d'Artagnan's reaction when he hears the mousquetaires criticizing the cardinal and his personal life?

A
A) Il est amusé
B
B) He is indifferent
C
C) Il est choqué et scandalisé
D
D) Il se joint à la conversation

Explanation

D'Artagnan's respect for the cardinal is scandalized, and he is shocked by the mousquetaires' criticism, as stated in the passage: 'son respect pour le cardinal fut scandalisé dans l’antichambre'

Question 6Unit 2: Reading Comprehension

What can be inferred about the influence of Mrs. Radcliffe's works on the literary world of the 19th century?

A
A) They were largely ignored by other writers
B
B) Elles ont eu un impact significatif sur le développement du roman de terreur
C
C) Her works were only popular among female readers
D
D) They were seen as a minor contribution to the Gothic tale genre

Explanation

The passage states that 'The writers of the first half of the nineteenth century abound in references to her works', indicating a significant influence on the literary world.

Question 7Unit 2: Reading Comprehension

What is the primary reason the bishop sends half of the milk from his cows to the hospital every morning?

A
A) Il aime les malades
B
B) Il paye sa dîme
C
C) Il veut aider les curés de campagne
D
D) Il a trop de lait

Explanation

The bishop says 'Je paye ma dîme' which means he is paying his tithe, a tenth of his income, to the poor and needy, in this case, the hospital patients.

Question 8Unit 2: Reading Comprehension

What is the author's impression of the people from d'Artagnan's region, Gascony, as described in the passage?

A
A) They are easily intimidated
B
B) Ils ont la réputation de ne point facilement se laisser intimider
C
C) They are not skilled with a sword
D
D) They are from a wealthy region

Explanation

The passage states 'les compatriotes de d’Artagnan avaient la réputation de ne point facilely se laisser intimider', indicating that people from Gascony are not easily intimidated.

Question 9Unit 2: Reading Comprehension

What does the author suggest is necessary for terror in literature to be effective and not merely horrific?

A
A) Un mélange de descriptions beautés et d'incidents pathétiques
B
B) A high degree of violence and gore
C
C) Un simple effet de causation matérielle
D
D) Un ton ironique et humoristique

Explanation

The author suggests that terror in literature can be effective when it is balanced with beautiful descriptions or pathetic incidents, as seen in the works of Mrs. Radcliffe.

Question 10Unit 5: French Culture and Civilization

What is the significance of the heroine's actions and the plot in 'Fair Elenor' in relation to the cultural context?

A
A) Elle illustre les thèmes de l'amour et de la mort dans la littérature française
B
B) It reflects Blake's familiarity with Walpole's Gothic story and the legend of Anne Boleyn
C
C) Elle représente la condition des femmes dans la société anglaise du XVIIIe siècle
D
D) C'est une critique de la monarchie et du pouvoir absolu

Explanation

The passage states that Blake's story is 'faintly reminiscent of the popular legend of Anne Boleyn' and that 'Fair Elenor' seems to indicate Blake's familiarity with Walpole's Gothic story.

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